Model and television presenter Jesinta Campbell is seeking legal advice after a Sydney Daily Telegraph column suggested she postpone her wedding to AFL star Lance 'Buddy' Franklin due to his mental health diagnosis. The article, written by gossip columnist Annette Sharp, listed 13 reasons for delaying the nuptials, including warnings that future children could inherit mental illness and that Franklin's earning power might decline.
Sharp's column, published on Saturday, also claimed Campbell's 'appeal and allure' would diminish after marriage. Franklin was ruled out of the rest of the Sydney Swans season earlier this month due to an unspecified mental health condition, which the club has confirmed alongside mild epilepsy.
Campbell responded on social media, calling the article 'appalling' and urging the journalist to educate herself on mental illness reporting. In a Facebook statement, she wrote: 'Your challenges do not define you, and your suffering does not make you less appealing as a life partner. You deserve love and happiness.'
Last week, Campbell spoke publicly about Franklin's diagnosis, saying she had 'fallen more in love with him through this process' and praising his courage in seeking help. Sharp has defended her article on Twitter, accusing critics of misquoting her, and later added a 14th reason for postponement.
Campbell's agent, Sharon Finnigan, confirmed they are seeking legal advice, describing the article as 'disgusting' and 'awful'. The Australian Press Council has received at least one complaint about the column.
